Laminated rotary brush apparatus

ABSTRACT

A laminated rotary brush is disclosed wherein bristle tufts are coupled to individual identically formed disk members, the disk members being stacked on a common shaft to define a cylindrical brush. Axially extending detent portions interconnect adjacent disk members to preclude relative rotation therebetween, but permit positioning of adjacent disk members in a plurality of selectable relative angular positions, such positions providing, selectively, a brush with axially aligned or angularly offset bristles. The disk members, in one form of the invention, include a hub portion provided with angularly spaced keyways, whereby the keyways of the individual disk members may be aligned for securement to a common shaft-engaging key, regardless of the selected alignment of the bristles.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Courtland N. Smith,.lr.

Glen Ridge; Edward L. Verhagen, Rahway, both of, NJ. [21 Appl. No.847,087 [22] Filed Aug. 4, X969 [45] Patented Aug. 17,1971 [73 AssigneeSherman Car Wash Equipment Co.

Palmyra, J-

[54] LAMINATED ROTARY BRUSH APPARATUS 5 Claims, [2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl l5/l8l, 15/194, 15/195 [51] lnt.Cl A46b 3/16, A46b 9/02 [50]FleldoiSearch l5/18l. 182, 223. 194, 195, 198; 29/125; 51/207; 241/295[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 553.402 H1896 Goulding&Kemble l5/l 8| 776,796 12/1904 Perkins 29/125 X 2,465,376 3/1949 Hooper29/125 X 3,274,634 9/1966 Godfrey 15/181 X FOREIGN PATENTS 959,65710/1949 France 15/181 948, 8 55 9/1956 Germany 15/181 PrimaryExaminer-Walter A. Scheel Assistant Examiner-Alan l. CantorAttorney-Seidel, Gonda & Goldhammer ABSTRACT: A laminated rotary brushis disclosed wherein bristle tufts are coupled to individual identicallyformed disk members, the disk members being stacked on a common shaft todefine a cylindrical brush. Axially extending detent portionsinterconnect adjacent disk members to preclude relative rotationtherebetwee n, but permit positioning of adjacent disk members in aplurality of selectable relative angular positions, such positionsproviding, selectively, a brush with axially aligned or angularly offsetbristles. The disk members, in one form of the invention, include a hubportion provided with angularly spaced keyways, whereby the keyways ofthe individual disk members may be aligned for securement to a commonshaft-engaging key, regardless of the selected alignment of thebristles.

PATENTEU Am; 7 lHYl 599.264

SHEET 1 [1F 3 IN VEN T 0193.

A TTORNEYS.

PATENTEUAUGIYIHYI 3,599,264

SHEET 2 BF 3 I Has F/6Z5 56 INVENTOR COURTLAND N. SMITH, JR. EDWARD L.l/E'RHAGEN BY WM ,6

A T TOR/VETS.

PATENTED nus: nan 3,599 254 sum 3 [IF 3 IN VE N TORS COURTLAND N. SMITH,JR. EDWARD L. VERHAGEN ATTORIVEKS.

LAMINATED ROTARY BRUSH APPARATUS This invention relates to rotary brushapparatus, and more particularly, to laminated rotary brush apparatuscapable of providing a brush having selectively, axially aligned orangularly offset bristles.

Elongated rotary brushes have wide commercial utility. For example,elongated rotary brushes are widely used in carwashing apparatus.

Elongated rotary brushes have heretofore been made, in some instances,with laminated" construction. In such a construction, the elongatedbrush is built up of individual coaxial brush elements, stacked on acommon shaft. Each brush element, in the usual construction, includes adisk adapted for reception on a shaft, and individual bristle tuftsCoupled to the disk at spaced points about its periphery.

In apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the location anddistribution of bristle tufts on the outer periphery of the brush can bemade as desired, and selectively altered. Numerous selectable bristleconfigurations may be obtained. For example, the present apparatus maybe constructed with 'bristle tufts on adjacent brush elements in axialalignment. On

the other hand, if desired, the bristle tufts of adjacent brush elementsmay be angularly offset from each other by a predetermined selectableincrement of arc. A brush may be constructed wherein correspondingbristles on each adjacent brush element are offset in oppositedirections to form a zigzag bristle pattern. Other bristle patterns arealso obtainable. By properly selecting the number and location ofbristles and angular offset between adjacent brush elements, spiralbristle configurations may be obtained.

In a preferred form of the invention, each disk can accommodate up. to12 bristle-fonning members, each member providing two bristle tufts. Bychoosing a bristle configuration calling for fewer bristle formingmembers per disk, brushes having various bristle densities may be made.Also, selective positioning of bristle forming members provides a meanswhereby the brush may be selectively statically and dynamicallybalanced.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to providelaminated rotary brush apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide laminated rotary brushapparatus wherein individual brush elements may be arranged to provide avariety of bristle configurations.

It is still another object of this invention to provide laminated rotarybrush apparatus wherein disk members comprising a part of individualside-by-side brush elements may be placed in selectable fixed angulardispositions with respect to each other, and coupled to a shaft forrotation in unison therewith.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide laminated rotarybrush apparatus wherein individual brush elements comprise disk membersand bristle-forming members coupled to the disk members at selectedangularly spaced positions thereon.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The foregoing and other objects are realized in one presently preferredform of the invention by apparatus wherein individual brush elementscomprise disk members and bristle-forming members coupled to the diskmembers at spaced peripheral points thereon. Means are provided on thedisk members for coupling adjacent disk members in a plurality ofselectable fixed angular dispositions with respect to each other, andsecond means are provided on such disk members for coupling the brushelements for rotation in unison with the shaft.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing a brush inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view showing a portion of a brush inaccordance with the invention.

member in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the disk member shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Iine S- Sin FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

' FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an element of a bristle-form ing memberin accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate the various selectable relative angulardispositions of adjacent disk members in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a representative brush, in accordancewith the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is seen a rotary brush designated generally by thereference numeral 10. The brush 10 includes a plurality of individualbrush elements, for example the brush elements 12', 14 and 16, stackedin side-by-side relation on a central shaft 18. The brush elements, ofwhich the elements 12, 14 and 16 are typical, each comprise a diskmember, designated generally by the reference numeral 20, andbristle-forming members, designated generally by the reference numeral22, coupled to the disk member 20 at peripherally spaced points thereon.Cover plates 24 are coupled to the shaft 18 at opposite sides of thestack of brush elements 12, l4, 16, etc. The brush elements 12, 14, 16rotate in unison with the'shaft 18. For this purpose, shaft 18 includesa keyway 26, within which an elongated key 28 may be received. The key28 may contact each of the disk members 20 to preclude relative rotationbetween the disk members 20 and the shaft 18.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there is seen a form of disk member 20 which ispresently preferred. The disk member 20 includes a hub portion 30 havinga central bore 32 therein. The disk member 20 also includes a rimportion designated generally by the reference numeral 34 and spokemembers 36, extending radially between the hub portion 30 and rimportion 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, angularly spaced keyways 38 and 40 areprovided in the bore 32. The keyways 38 and 40 are selectivelyengageable with the key 28, and serve to couple the disk member 20 tothe shaft 18 for rotation therewith. The keyways 38 and 40 are angularlyoffset from each other by an are a, for a purpose which will be madeapparent.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the rim portion 34 includes a series ofoutwardly directed sockets 42, located at spaced intervals around theperiphery of the rim portion 34. In the illustrated embodiment, onesocket 42 is disposed between each pair of spoke members 36.

The socket members 42 receive and retain the bristle-forming members 22.As is best seen in FIG. 2, each bristle-forming member 22 comprises abundle of bristle elements 46, interconnected by a clip 48. Althoughreferred to generically as bristle" elements, the elements 46 can bemade from a wide variety of materials. For example, the bristle elements46 can be flexible strands of extruded plastic polymeric material, suchas polyethylene or polypropylene.

The clips 48, when in an operative configuration, provide a pair ofcylindrical portions 50, interconnected by a saddlelike bight portion52. Individual bristle elements 46 are continuous, and retained by theclip 48 in generally U-shaped configuration. The bristle elements 46pass through the respective cylindrical portions 50, and have bightportions thereof received in the bight portion 52 of the clip 48. Theoperative association of the bristle elements 46 and clip 48 results inan exceedingly strong construction for the bristle-forming member 22,and also permits exceedingly rapid construction of the brush 10, as willbe explained later.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is seen a clip 48, as provided prior to finalassembly of the bristle-forming members 22. The cylindrical portions 50are in an open configuration, to receive the bristle elements 46. Duringmanufacture, the bristle elements 46 may be placed in the open channelsdefined by the cylindrical portions 50. Next, the cylindrical portions50 may be swaged to fonn the finished cylindrical configuration. Next,the clip 48 may be bent to the generally U-shaped operativeconfiguration seen in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the sockets 42 comprise channel portions 54,spaced from each other, and extending generally parallel to a radius ofthe disk member 20. Channel portions 54 include restricted outletportions 56 in communication with the outer periphery of the disk member20. Channel portions 54 are of sufficient transverse dimension toreceive the cylindrical portions 50 in press-fitted relation. The outletportions 56, however, are of smaller transverse dimension than thechannel portions 54. The outlet portions 56 are sufficiently large toprovide for passage of the bristle elements 46 therethrough, but aresmaller in transverse dimension than the cylindrical portions 50. Theoutlet portions 56 resist thrust from the cylindrical portions 50 in adirection radially outwardly with respect to the disk member 20. Suchforces may be generated by centrifugal force upon rotation of the brush10, or by snagging of bristle elements 46 with a brushed object.

The bight portion 52 of the clip 48 serves to cradle the bristleelements 46, and minimize stress on the elements 46 due to snagging.Thus, the above-described construction of the bristle-forming member 22tends to diminish the risk of tearing or stretching of the bristles dueto snagging.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the clip 48 may be provided with protrudingclaw portions 58 to insure snug engagement of the cylindrical portions50 with the channel portions 54. As is best seen in FIG. 7, the clawportions 58 may actually dig into the sides of the channel portion 54.

The means whereby the adjacent disk members 20 of the brush 10 may bepositioned in a plurality of selectable relative angular positions willnow be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, detent means designated generally by thereference numerals 60 are provided on opposite faces of the disk members20. In the illustrated embodiment, the detent means 60 takes the form ofaxially extending pins 62, 64, 66 and 68, located at equally spacedintervals around the rim portion 34 on one face of the disk member 20.The pins 60 to 68 are best seen in FIG. 2. The detent means 60 alsoincludes on the other face of the disk member series of openingsdesignated generally 70, 72, 74 and 76, spaced to receive the pins 62 to68 of an adjacent disk member 20. In the illustrated embodiment, eachseries 70 to 76 includes three spaced openings, designated forconvenience, A, B, and C. Thus, for example, the series 70 includesopenings 70A, 70B, and 70C. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin 62 islocated in axial alignment with the opening 70B; the pin 64 in axialalignment with the opening 76B; the pin 66 in axial alignment with theopening 748; and the pin 68 in axial alignment with the opening 728. I

The openings labeled A and C of each series 70 to 76 are offset from theopening B of that series by equal increments of arc, such incrementbeing the are [3. The are a differs from a semicircular are by an amountequal to are [3.

FIGS. 9 to II illustrate the manner in which the detent means 60 permitassembly of adjacent disk members 20 to provide a variety of selectablebristle configurations. Although the sockets 42 and bristle-formingmembers 22 are omitted for clarity in FIGS. 9 to 11, it should beunderstood that each of the disk members 20 are of similar construction,each having the same number of sockets 42 arranged in similar spacingaround their respective rim portions 34.

In FIG. 9, the disk members 20 and 20' are arranged for assembly toprovide axially aligned bristles. The pin 62 bristleforming in alignmentwith the opening 708. Similarly, the pins 64 to 68, not shown, arealigned with the B openings of the series 72 to 76. The keyways 38 and40 of the disk member 20 are also aligned with corresponding keyways 38'and 40' on disk member 20'.

In FIG. 10, the disk members 20 and 20' are shown in an angularly offsetposition, wherein the sockets 42 and bristleforming members associatedwith the respective disk members 20, 20' are angularly offset withrespect to each other. In this figure, the disk member 20' has beenrotated so that the pin 62 on the disk member 20 is aligned with theopening 74A. Similarly, the pins 64 to 68 are aligned with the Aopenings of the series 76, 70 and 72, respectively. In FIG. 10, thekeyway 38 of the disk member 20 is not in alignment with the keyway 40'of disk member 20'. The keyway 40, however, is in alignment with keyway38' on the disk member 20'. Thus, the keyways 40, 38' afford a means forcoupling the disks 20 and 20' to a key such as the above-described key28, for rotation in unison with a shaft. Assembly of the disk members 20and 20' as shown in FIG. 10 results in offset of the sockets 42 on therespective disk members by onehalf the are defined by each socket.Bristles associated with the respective disk members 20 and 20' areangularly offset with respect to each other in the manner best seen inFIG. 12.

FIG. II illustrates an alternative arrangement for achieving anangularly offset bristle pattern. In FIG. 1 I, the pin 62 is inalignment with opening 74C, and the pins 64 to 68 are in alignment withthe C openings of the series 76, 70 and 72 respectively. In thearrangement in FIG. 11, the keyway 38 on the disk member 20 is inalignment with the keyway 40' on disk member 20'. The keyway 40 is not,however, in alignment with the keyway 38'.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that numerous selectablebristle configurations are obtainable. In the illustrated form of theinvention, the disk member 20 is provided with 12 sockets 42. Ifbristle-forming members 22 are associated only with selected sockets,for example in alternate sockets or every third socket on each disk, andthe disks are arranged as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, various spiralbristle configurations can be obtained. Also, various balancing effectscan be obtained.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, further details of the disk members 20in accordance with the present invention are shown. The rim portion 34includes an axially extending annular flange 78 extending from one ofits faces. A second flange 80 projects from the other face of the diskmember 20. The flange 80 is discontinuous, it being interrupted atspaced intervals by the outlet portions 56. An annular groove 82, alsodiscontinuous, is disposed just radially inwardly from the flange 80.The groove 82 is in axial alignment with the flange 78. Thus, as isapparent from FIG. 5, the disk members 20 may be assembled inside-by-side relation, with the flange 78 of one disk member nestedwithin the groove 82 of the disk member adjacent to it. Referring toFIG. 5, the flange 78 of the disk member 20 in phantom nests within thegroove 82 of the disk member 20 shown in full line. The pin 62 mateswith one of the openings, not numbered, in the disk member 20 shown inphantom line.

The interengaged flange 80 and annular groove 82 provide a reinforced,interlocked structure, effective to distribute stresses between adjacentdisks.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

lclaim:

1. In rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft and a plurality ofindividual brush elements coaxial with said shaft, each of said brushelements comprising a disk member having spaced sockets about itsperiphery and bristle-forming members receivable in said sockets, firstindex means on said disk members for coupling adjacent disk members in aplurality of selectable fixed angular dispositions with respect to eachother, and second index means on said disk members for coupling saidbrush elements to said shaft for rotation in unison therewith, thesecond index means of each disk member being so disposed with respect tothe first index means of such disk member as to permit axial alignmentof the second index means of such disk member with the second indexmeans of disk members adjacent thereto in each of the selectablerelative angular dispositions between such disk member and the diskmembers adjacent thereto, whereby said brush elements define selectivelya brush having axially aligned or angularly offset bristles.

2. ln rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 1, said firstindex means comprising a plurality of axially extending detent membersangularly offset from each other by an arc of a given magnitude, saiddisk members having central bores therein for receiving the shaft, saidsecond index means comprising a pair of shaft-engaging elements disposedin said central bore, said shaft-engaging elements being offset fromeach other by an arc having a magnitude differing from a semicircularare by an arc of said given magnitude.

3. ln rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 2, said firstindex means comprising a central detent member and a pair ofsupplemental detent members disposed on opposite sides of said centraldetent member and spaced therefrom by arcs of said given magnitude, sothat adjacent disk members can be coupled to each other in threeselectable angular dispositions with respect to each other, theshaft-engaging elements on said adjacent disk members being axiallyalignable in each of said selectable angular dispositions.

4. ln rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 3, said centraland supplemental detent members comprising a central opening andradially spaced supplemental openings in first corresponding faces ofsaid disk members, said central opening and said supplemental openingsbeing equally distant from a central axis of said disk members, and pinelements extending from second corresponding faces of said disk membersin axial alignment with said central openings, said pin elements beingselectively engageable with the central and supplemental openings of anadjacent disk member.

5. ln rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 4, saidshaft-engaging elements comprising axially extending keyway portions,first corresponding keyway portions on adjacent disk members being inaxial alignment when the pin element of one of said disk members is inengagement with the central opening and one of the supplemental openingsof an adjacent disk member, second corresponding keyway portions beingin axial alignment when the pin element of said one disk member is inengagement with the other supplemental opening of said adjacent diskmember.

1. In rotary brush apparatus comprising a shaft and a plurality ofindividual brush elements coaxial with said shaft, each of said brushelements comprising a disk member having spaced sockets about itsperiphery and bristle-forming members receivable in said sockets, firstindex means on said disk members for coupling adjacent disk members in aplurality of selectable fixed angular dispositions with respect to eachother, and second index means on said disk members for coupling saidbrush elements to said shaft for rotation in unison therewith, thesecond index means of each disk member being so disposed with respect tothe first index means of such disk member as to permit axial alignmentof the second index means of such disk member with the second indexmeans of disk members adjacent thereto in each of the selectablerelative angular dispositions between such disk member and the diskmembers adjacent thereto, whereby said brush elements define selectivelya brush having axially aligned or angularly offset bristles.
 2. Inrotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 1, said first indexmeans comprising a plurality of axially extending detent membersangularly offset from each other by an arc of a given magnitude, saiddisk members having central bores therein for receiving the shaft, saidsecond index means comprising a pair of shaft-engaging elements disposedin said central bore, said shaft-engaging elements being offset fromeach other by an arc having a magnitude differing from a semicirculararc by an arc of said given magnitude.
 3. In rotary brush apparatus inaccordance with claim 2, said first index means comprising a centraldetent member and a pair of supplemental detent members disposed onopposite sides of said central detent member and spaced therefrom byarcs of said given magnitude, so that adjacent disk members can becoupled to each other in three selectable angular dispositions withrespect to each other, the shaft-engaging elements on said adjacent diskmembers being axially alignable in each of said selectable angulardispositions.
 4. In rotary brush apparatus in accordance with claim 3,said central and supplemental detent members comprising a centralopening and radially spaced supplemental openings in first correspondingfaces of said disk members, said central opening and said supplementalopenings being equally distant from a central axis of said disk members,and pin elements extending from second corresponding faces of said diskmembers in axial alignment with said central openings, said pin elementsbeing selectively engageable with the central and supplemental openingsof an adjacent diSk member.
 5. In rotary brush apparatus in accordancewith claim 4, said shaft-engaging elements comprising axially extendingkeyway portions, first corresponding keyway portions on adjacent diskmembers being in axial alignment when the pin element of one of saiddisk members is in engagement with the central opening and one of thesupplemental openings of an adjacent disk member, second correspondingkeyway portions being in axial alignment when the pin element of saidone disk member is in engagement with the other supplemental opening ofsaid adjacent disk member.